There have been moments in history where South Africans have stood tall on the world’s most intellectually-charged stage. Let’s relive some of those glorious moments:

South African winners of the Nobel Prize:

Max Theiler, Physiology or Medicine, 1951

Dr Theiler became the first African-born winner of the prize 67 years ago when he successfully developed a vaccine to combat yellow fever. His work saw him earn the very prestigious position of Director at the Virus Laboratory for the Rockefeller Foundation.

Albert Lutuli, Peace, 1960

He lead the ANC for 15 years between 1952 – 1967 and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent resistance towards the apartheid regime. Tragically, he died after being hit by a freight train on a level crossing.

Allan M. Cormack, Physiology or Medicine, 1979

Dr Allan Cormack won his award for the integral role he played in the development of CT scanning technology. He studied at Harvard and spent most of his time between SA and the USA. In the 1950s, the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital were the first places these scans were ever trialled.

Aaron Klug, Chemistry, 1982

The British-South African was a graduate of both Wits and UCT. He revolutionised science by advancing our understanding of how atoms are arranged in solid matter. His work with electron microscopes earned him the Chemistry Nobel Prize 36 years ago.

Desmond Tutu, Peace, 1984

Our most-loved Archbishop was rewarded for his tireless efforts to bring down the apartheid regime by scooping the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He had lobbied many world governments – including a fierce showdown with Ronald Reagan – and his activism was fondly admired across the globe.

Nadine Gordimer, Literature, 1991

One of South Africa’s most underrated heroes gained the attention of the international community in 1991, when she won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Gordimer’s novels rallied against the racially-exclusive government, and as an active ANC member, she was a close friend of Nelson Mandela’s.

Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk, 1993

Speaking of Madiba, we come to perhaps the most famous entry on our list. For negotiating the end of apartheid rule, and orchestrating the first democratic elections in South Africa’s history, both Mandela and de Klerk picked up the accolade thanks to their negotiatory skills.

Sydney Brenner, Physiology or Medicine, 2002

Brenner was part of the team that created the first computer matrix analysis of nucleic acids using TRAC. Translated into English, the Germiston-born scientist helped map the very fabric of human DNA.

John Maxwell Coetzee, Literature, 2003

This year marked for the first time South Africa could boast back-to-back winners. The studious Coetzee wrote dozens of acclaimed essays, critiques and books – including Booker Prize-winning works like 1983’s Life & Times of Michael K and 1999’s Disgrace – which earned him the highest of all nods.

Michael Levitt, Chemistry, 2013

Finally, our most recent winner was five years. The Pretoria-born professor was recognised for his efforts with “the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems”. His molecular research became pioneering source material for the next generation of scientists to succeed him